Full Idea
A thing could have a property only if its having the property could be conceived, and that requires some sortal concept which adequately answers the Aristotelian question what the thing is.
Gist of Idea
The possibility of a property needs an essential sortal concept to conceive it
Source
David Wiggins (Sameness and Substance Renewed [2001], 4.5)
Book Reference
Wiggins,David: 'Sameness and Substance Renewed' [CUP 2001], p.121
A Reaction
[Algebra omitted!] The core idea of Wiggins's theory. It seems at first glance to be a revival of Aristotelian essentialism, but his view of that seems to merely involve falling into a category. He treats sortal concepts as Aristotle's 'primary being'.